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Without a doubt, the Patriots coaching staff (and fans) had their eyes heavily fixed on Zay Flowers, the biggest fish at the Shrine Bowl pond, while down in Las Vegas the past few weeks.
But if last year is any indicator, New England doesn’t have just one target from this game, having drafted four players and signed two more from 2022’s Shrine Bowl.
From listening to people who were there, this year’s class of Shrine Bowl players is even better than last year’s, and there were more than a few standouts at positions the Patriots definitely end to improve at.
Here are three (non-Zay Flowers) players that would almost certainly make the Patriots better if the team has a chance to pull the trigger on them.
Isaiah Moore
The Shrine Bowl broadcast last week mentioned Moore the Patriots reportedly “couldn’t stop raving about.” A quick scan of how he plays will tell you why pretty quickly.
The redshirt senior moves and finishes like a baby Ja’Whaun Bentley, triggering downhill decisively and bringing his whole body into fundamental tackles. His overall production is impressive, too: the NC State product racked up 15 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2022 (82 total tackles).
New England got better linebacker play than expected down the stretch after struggling at that position a bit to start the season (aside from Bentley). But this presents another opportunity for the defense to get younger, faster and more athletic and to add more starting-caliber talent going forward.
The Patriots also shouted out Utah linebacker Mo Diabate as someone who could have value as a freak athlete at the linebacker position, but Moore looks more NFL-ready when you pop on the tape.
A.T. Perry
The big Wake Forest receiver won’t clock a terribly fast 40 time, which might cross him off some mock drafts.
But Perry’s superb ability to track the football down the field, deceptive long-striding speed and silky-smooth movements at 6-5, 205 pounds make it hard to take your eyes off of him.
For a guy not known for speed, he was open a lot down in Las Vegas against a strong cornerback group.
He also straight-up dominated ACC competition his last two seasons, putting up 2,389 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns (1,000+ yards and double-digit touchdowns in each year).
That’s not even the most impressive part, though.
EJ Snyder of “The Bootleg Podcast,” who talked with “1st and Foxborough” this week, said he was blown away by Perry’s detailed preparation, saying the receiver would be in the top tier of best-prepared players in the league right now.
You know the Patriots have to love a player like that.
Jordan Mims
Don’t underestimate the possibility of the Patriots adding more depth at running back after Rhamondre Stevenson got overly taxed in 2022.
Mims exploded during his final year at Fresno State with 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, but he actually topped 1,000 scrimmage yards in both his junior and senior seasons.
His style of play is fascinating: he’s a 6-0, 200-pounder with one-cut-and-go ability to go with jitterbug feet that regularly left defenders in shambles in the open field. Want to see something fun? Go watch Mims flat-out embarrass Washington State last year with a monstrous 209 yards rushing and two scores.
On top of that, he drew strong praise for being the best “three-way” back at the Shrine Bowl — running, receiving and pass protection. That last part is of the utmost importance for any running who’s going to play for the Patriots.
As someone who called the rise of Stevenson before he touched the field for New England, Mims has the potential to be just as good if not better. Should the Patriots select him on Day 3, he stands a great chance of immediately leapfrogging Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris to become the RB2 to start the season.
